Lloyd Eugene Melquist, age 86, of Cokato, died Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, at home after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born June 7, 1921, at home in Cokato Township to Alice (Beckman) and Walter Melquist. Lloyd was confirmed at Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1937, by Pastor Andreen. He attended grades one through eight at Melquist Country School.

Lloyd married Helen Wendolek in Silver Lake Nov. 7, 1945. The couple moved to their own farm northeast of Cokato, and Lloyd farmed there throughout his life, milking cows, raising pigs, chickens, and steers, and growing cash crops.

He also worked seasonally as a foreman at the Northland Canning Company in Cokato, and ran a sawmill for 40 years, sawing and manufacturing pallets.

In his early years, Lloyd liked to fish and go deer hunting. For many years, he helped put up the corn stand for the annual Cokato Corn Carnival. He enjoyed playing on a horseshoe team, and on the Howard Lake softball team.

Lloyd was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cokato.

He would always light up with a large smile when his family came with their children, and he enjoyed filling them with his wit, wisdom, and jokes; and watching them grow.

Lloyd is further survived by a sister, Doris Gerber of Howard Lake; brothers, Wallace Melquist of Darwin, and Virgil Melquist of Cokato; and by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Lauren Melquist; and a grandson, Scott Melquist.

Funeral service took place Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato with the Rev. Steve Thorson officiating. Music was provided by Karen Anderson. Interment was at Cokato City Cemetery.

Visitation was Monday, Dec. 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Cokato, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and continued Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church.